County of Alameda

Appraiser III (#2620)

Under direction, to collect and analyze data for the appraisal of commercial and industrial real property, to appraise and perform real property valuation analysis of commercial and industrial properties for ad valorem tax purposes; to conduct field investigations and studies pertaining to commercial and industrial real property valuation; to assist as an appraisal technical specialist in the development of Assessor’s standards and staff training procedures; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is found only in the Office of the Assessor.

Appraisers III are technical specialists in the Appraiser series. Appraisers III work independently in the field and in the office with minimal supervision, performing the full range of commercial and industrial property appraisal functions as to both land and improvements, or they assist in the development of procedures, forms or training methods. Incumbents are assigned to the Appraisal Division of the Office of the Assessor and report to Supervising Appraiser II crew leaders, or are assigned to a technical section such as the Assessor’s Standards and Training Section. Positions in this classification differ from those in the next lower class of Appraiser II in that positions in the latter class are responsible for appraisal of residential and rural, as opposed to commercial and industrial, property. Appraisers III differ from the next higher class of Supervising Appraiser II in that the latter class has full supervisory responsibility of appraisal units.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent or lower level or may assist with the tasks and duties performed by Appraiser II staff as needed. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Gathers and analyzes sales, income/expense and cost data concerning commercial and industrial properties.
2. Investigates economic factors associated with the property type being analyzed.
3. Interacts with governmental agencies for the purpose of obtaining, expanding or clarifying information required for valuation or analysis of commercial and industrial properties for ad valorem tax purposes.
4. Verifies data accumulated by interviewing real estate brokers and appraisers, property owners, managers and tenants.
5. Uses the cost, market and/or income approach, as applicable, in determining market value for commercial and industrial properties.
6. Writes narrative reports concerning commercial and industrial properties under assessment appeal, testifies and/or presents appraisal reports before the Assessment Appeals Board.
7. Verifies and analyzes the sales of commercial and industrial properties for market value.
8. Values commercial and industrial properties upon change of ownership.
9. Establishes taxable value for new construction and/or alterations for commercial and industrial properties.
10. Determines the value of newly created industrial and commercial parcels using the appropriate appraisal technique.
11. Determines the taxable value of possessory interests in commercial and industrial properties.
12. Determines market values for commercial and industrial tax delinquent properties.
13. Performs appraisals of taxable property owned by a government entity located outside its boundaries.
14. Performs on-site inspection of commercial and industrial property being valued and reviews other comparable properties and data as necessary for the purpose of valuation.
15. Reconciles the property values of commercial and industrial properties, taking into consideration the three appraisal approaches (cost, market and income) and selects the most reliable indicator of value.
16. Enrolls values to the property tax rolls according to established procedures.
17. Documents valuation findings on the appraisal records.
18. Explains to property owners or their agents the rationale for assessment.
19. Uses computers and computer equipment, software and programs used by the Assessor’s Office, including computer workstations, personal computers and peripheral devices, independently or as part of a networked information system, for the purpose of entering, storing, retrieving, updating and working with data relevant to the appraisal and assessment of commercial and industrial property for ad valorem tax purposes.
20. Explains appraisal methods and value determinations to taxpayers. As needed, answers general questions from the public and other governmental agencies pertaining to property assessment and related issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Appraiser II in the Alameda County Assessor’s Office,

AND
Certification:

Possession of a current, valid permanent appraiser’s certificate or an inactive/permanent appraiser’s certificate issued by the California State Board of Equalization.

OR II
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the office of a California County Assessor or the office of the California State Board of Equalization at the level equivalent to Appraiser II in the Alameda County Assessor’s Office, which included the appraisal of real property for ad valorem tax purposes,

AND
Certification:
Possession of a current, valid permanent appraiser’s certificate or an inactive/permanent appraiser’s certificate, issued by the California State Board of Equalization.

OR III
Education:

Possession of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

(Additional qualifying experience gained within the last ten years may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years. Additional qualifying experience for this purpose includes real estate appraisal, mortgage lending, title work, real property management, building construction, structural cost estimating, right-of-way agent, and/or experience as a real estate licensee engaged in buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate.)

Be eligible to be issued a temporary appraiser’s certificate by the State Board of Equalization upon hire. In addition to qualifying for a temporary appraiser’s certificate at the time of appointment, appointees must pass the appraiser’s permanent certification examination administered by the California State Board of Equalization. Incumbents must obtain a permanent appraiser’s certificate within one year from the date of appointment. Failure to obtain the permanent certificate within one year will be cause for termination of employment.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Special Requirements:

Incumbents are required to furnish their own automobile to use on the job. Mileage reimbursement for such use will be made consistent with County policy.

Physical Characteristics:

Incumbents must be able to climb stairs and hills.
Incumbents must be able to distinguish between the colors red, blue and green.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed in the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• The theory, methodology, practices and procedures involved in the appraisal of commercial and industrial real property for ad valorem tax purposes, and the principles underlying the appraisal process.
• Property values and the effect of economic trends on value and the cost of new construction.
• Techniques of estimating replacement or reproduction costs for residential, commercial, industrial and special purpose improvements.
• Provisions of real estate law, the California State Constitution, the California Revenue and Taxation Code, Administrative Rules, Property Tax Rules of the California State Board of Equalization, appraisal sections of the Assessor’s Handbook, California statutes, local rules and regulations pertaining to the appraisal of commercial and industrial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.

Ability to:

• Appraise all types of commercial and industrial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.
• Estimate construction costs and depreciation for commercial and industrial real property.
• Assemble, analyze and draw logical conclusions from data of the sort used in valuation of commercial and industrial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.
• Analyze the factors influencing the value of commercial and industrial real property.
• Perform mathematical calculations, including arithmetic and plane geometry.
• Make and understand scale drawings, charts and diagrams reflecting the size, shape, dimensions and physical characteristics of commercial and industrial real property and improvements thereto.
• Read and interpret assessor’s maps and architectural plans.
• Keep accurate, detailed records.
• Use computers and computer equipment, software and programs used by the Assessor’s Office, including computer workstations, personal computers and peripheral devices, independently or as a part of a networked information system, for the purpose of entering, storing, retrieving, updating and working with data relevant to the appraisal and assessment of commercial and industrial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.
• Prioritize multiple assignments to meet deadlines.
• Interview and elicit information from individuals by telephone and in person.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Organize and plan time for workload.
• Work independently.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*: